Method of preparing multileaved edges for receiving colored markings and the article resulting therefrom



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METHOD oF PRE RING ANULTI-LE ED GE FOR RECEIV OOLORED f -MA NGS AND TH RTv ESULTING THERE 0M Fil Fe 17 1942 num-.lll

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ATTO/PNN Patented Oct. 3, 1944 METHOD OF PREPARING IHULTILEAVED` EDGES FOR RECEIVING .COLORED MARK- INGS AND THE ARTICLE RESULTING THEREFROM Heinz E. Oppenheimer, Great Neck, N. Y.

Application February 17, 1942, Serial No. 431,224

21 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of preparing a multi-leaved edge for receiving colored markings and to the article resulting therefrom. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an article and a method of the character described wherein said edge is disposed at an acute angle to the faces of lthe leaves adjacent .the edge. Such an edge -will hereinafter be referred to as an inclined edge.

In general, colored marks are applied to surfaces by ,standard processes such yas type or plate printing, stamping, stenciling, or photo-repro.- duction in which pressure is applied by va tool at one stage to the surface being printed. These processes will hereinafter be referred to as printing processes and the tool which applies pressure as a printing tool.

When an inclined multi-leaved edge of the character described is printed, the resulting impression, if viewed while the edge is inclined, is hazy and less intense .than if it had been printed `upon .the flat 4surface of a sheet of paper. I have found that these defects are due to the presence of white stria of appreciable width in the -print and lthat said stria result from the `uneven surface of the multi-leaved edge.

It is a primary object of my invention to `avoid these 1defects by providing a method of the character described in which an inclined multi-leaved edge is so treated that a substantially smooth face is presented to a printing tool.

Another object kof my invention is to provide a method of the character ,described which the inclined multi-leaved edge is so treated that it may be readily .deformed to provide a smooth sur-- face during the course of printing.

A further object ,of my invention is to provide a method of the character described in which the tips of Aeach sheet forming an inclined multileaved edge are mutilated in such manner tha-t a substantial portion of each tip will lie on an inclined smooth surface parallel to `the inclined edge.

An additional object ,of my invention is to provide a method of the character described in which the tips of each sheet are renderedmore flexible than the remainder of the sheet.

Still another object .of my invention ist@ provide a multifleaved article having an inclined edge which has been so treated that any printing impressed thereon is substantially as clear and intense as if imprinted on the flat surface of a sheet of paper.

My novel method can be practiced either on books having a multi-leaved vedge which is normally inclined or on books whichcan be manipulated to provide an inclined edge. With respect to the former class of books it is an object of my invention 'to prepare the normally inclined .edge so that :printing thereon will lbe clear .and intense.

With respect to lthe latter class of rbooks it is an object of my invention to so prepare the edge that the printing is not only clear and distinct .whentheedge has -been forciblydisposed in a preselected inclined position but will be reasonably clear and distinct when the edge is `disposed in any usable inclined position.

Another object .of my invention is to provide a method of the character described for preparing a book vof the latter class to receive vprinting such as is shown and described in my -copending application for Indexing means, Serial No. 422,647, ledDecember 12, 1941.

lA further object of my invention is to provide a book of the latter'class having a novel advertisement .on a multi-leaved edge thereof.

Still another object of ,my invention is to provide a book of the latter class having a multileaved .edge on which the visible printing is changed when the inclination of the edge is reversed.

An additional object of my inventionis to provide a method of the character described which .is simple and inexpensive to practice and proshowing the expanded and inclined edge thereof in the process of being prepared for printing with edge indexing means; Figs. 2 and 3 are highly enlarged sectional views taken substantially along the lines 2-'2 and 3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing respectively the shape and disposition of the tips of the sheets forming the inclined edge before and after treatment in accordance with my novel process;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary face view of .the inclined edge of the book shown in Fig. 1 after printing;

Fig. 5 is a View similai` to Fig. 3 of a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of still another modified form of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 3 of still another form of my invention;

Figs. 8 and 9 are views similar to Fig. 4 of the modied form of my invention shown in Fig. 'l and are explanatory of the change in visible printing on the inclined edge when the direction of inclination of the edge is reversed;

Fig. 10 is lan end view of a book embodying still another modified form of my invention; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 of a book embodying yet another modied form of my invention.

My invention can be practiced on multi-leaved articles such as books wherein the multi-leaved edge to fbe printed is normally disposed substantially perpendicular to the faces of the sheets. The method and resulting article when this class of books is employed is illustrated in Figs. 1-9.

The invention can also be practiced in connection with books wherein the multi-leaved edge to be printed is normally disposed at an angle to the faces of the sheets. Books of the second class which embody my invention are shown in Figs. l0 and 1l.

VReferring now to Figs. 1-4, I have there shown a telephone book having a multi-leaved edge 22 which is to be prepared lfor printing in accordance with my invention. By way of example, this printing is illustrated as comprising edge indexing means such as is shown and described in my said copending application. The book 20 includes a plurality of exible sheets 24 disposed between front and back covers 26 and 28 respectively. The edge indexing means comprises a large number of characterizing indicia 3U (see Fig. 4) each of which has an indicating symbol 32 associated therewith. Said symbols and indicia are visible on the multi-leaved edge 22. When said multi-leaved edge is in its normal position, i. e. disposed substantially perpendicular to the faces of the leaves adjacent said edge, the indicia and symbols 30 and 32 are so contracted in width as to be barely visible and indistinctly legible. However, when the book is manipulated to expand the edge 22 to from about one and one-half to five times its normal Width, the said indicia and symbols become clearly legible, as shown in Fig. 4.

The symbols 32 are imprinted on the flat surface of the individual sheets 24 so that their clarity is only enhanced by expansion of the edge 22. The indicia 30, however, are imprinted on said edge 22 while the same is in expanded and inclined position, and I have found that, indicia so printed are not clear. The explanation for the indistinctness of the indicia 30 is believed to be as follows: When the book 20 is manipulated to expand and incline the edge 22, said edge assumes the appearance of a miniature staircase, as shown in Fig. 2, whereof each of the steps is slightly resilient. When a printing tool is pressed on this inclined edge, said tool will rst touch only the tip of each of the steps. As printing pressure is applied, the steps will become partially deformed and will cause the deposit of colored or colorable matter approximately half way across the tread 34 of each step. This, however, leaves a considerable unprinted space on each tread. As a result, when the edge 22 is viewed while inlined,

a substantial portion of the printed area will be interlineated white unprinted stria. The stepped and expanded edge 22 may have a mean surface which is either plane or slightly arcuate, said mean surface being an imaginary surface pass-Y ing through the mid-point of the treads 34.

In accordance with my invention, I overcome this 'defect by mutilating the inclined edge 22 to such an extent that when a printing tool is pressed thereon substantially the entire portion of the edge desired to be printed is adapted to receive colored or colorable matter.

Any suitable mutilation device can be employed which is capable of removing a portion of the tip of the leaves of the inclined multi-leaved edge 22. For example, such device m-ay comprise a milling cutter, a sand blast and stencil or a grinding tool.

In Fig. 1 I have schematically illustrated a grinding wheel 36 suitable for preparing the inclined edge 22 for printing. Said grinding Iwheel consists of a circular plinth coated with a. ve'ry fine abrasive. The wheel is mounted upon a shaft 38 which is rotated at a high speed. During the grinding operation the book is preferably supported in its flexed position by means of suitably formed clamps 40, 4| and 42.

The 'entire surface of the inclined edge 22 or any preselected portion thereof may be smoothed to a fiat or slightly arcuate surface by use of the grinding wheel. If less than the entire surface is to be prepared, any suitable means may be employed to guide the relative movement of the incl-ined edge 22 and grinding wheel 36 so as to linsure the grinding of the proper portions. When the edge 22 is prepared for printing with an edge indicating means such as shown in my said copending application, I prefer to grind only the portions of said edge on which the indicia 30 are to be imprinted. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, these portions may comprise a plurality of spaced, parallel, shallow swathes 44 whose width, spacing and relative positioning are determined by the nature and character of the indexing desired. By forming the swathes 44 in this manner, portions 46 will be left which have not been .mutilated and on which portions the locating symbols 32 are disposed. By virtue of this construction, the edge on which the locating symbol 32 is positioned remains square and can be easily manipulated by the ngers.

After the grinding operation I may treat the smoothed surface to better prepare the same to receive printing by means of a glazing roll 40a mounted on a drive shaft 42a. If desired, surface sizing and coating compositions may be employed in lconjunction with the glazing operation, so that the surface will be in the optimum condition for receiving a printing impression. The nature of the glazing operation and character of sizing and coating composition will depend, as is Well known in the art of paper malcing, upon the type of printing to be used. Without removing the flexed book from the clamps 42, the printing operation is next performed. It will be found that substantially every portion of the visible surface of the inclined edge 20 desired to be printed during this operation will receive colored or colorable matter and that no unprinted stria can be seen.

The appearance of the staircase subsequent to the grinding and smoothing operations is shown in Fig. 3. The staircase, it will be seen, has been mutilated by removing portions of the tips of the shls 24 down to a plane parallel to the mean surface of the inclined edge 10. It is not necessary, however, to so l coirlpletely mutilate the -tips of each of the sheets -24 that the l.extreme end thereof will be sharply pointed, for with the Adegree :of mutilation Yillustrated the paper will compress sufliciently during -printing to allow deposit of coloredor color-able matter on the face of each tread substantially up to the base of the adjacent riser 4,8.

It maybe mentioned that the edge printing on a book prepared and printed in accordance with the foregoing method may be s een and `employed when .the book is so Amanipulated that the edge 22 is inclined .either in a direction similar to that in which it was printed .or in a reverse direction. This phenomenon ,is Adue to the reduced thickness .of the tips zof the sheets 24 which permits the ,colored Or colorable matter to seep through to the unprinted surface of the tip and to the `increased transparency of the tip.

It will be observed that lin the method illustrated in Rigs. 1-4, the printing is performed upon the surface prepared by mutilation. In Fig, v5, however, I have shown an alternative position .of the sheet 24 preparatory to printing. In ythis embodiment of my invention, after the grinding operation illustrated -in Fig. l has been performed, .the book is so manipulated that the mutilated portions thereof are hidden although :the edge ,2-2 is expanded. The tins v50 .of each of the sheets .24 have, however, been rendered flexible by the mutilation thereof and when an edge 22' having the sheets 24 thus arranged is printed, saidv 1tips 50 will immediately be deformed by the printing tool to present a substantially gl'lat, lsmooth printing surface. The small projections in this -surface will be compressed during printing so that to all intents and purposes a substantially continuous deposit of colored or colorable matter is obtained and no white stria are visible.

IIn the modified form of my invention shown in Fig. 6, the grinding instead of proceeding along long parallel swathes .4.4 which are substantially lvertically disposed, is performed in short hori.- frontal patches 52 substantially yof the dimensions of a space within which the indicia. 3,0 are to be printed. In this form of my invention, as well as that described' in .connection with Figs. 1 4, I may, if desired, .direct attention to the patches 52 or swathes 44 by vapplying color to the inclined .edge 22 before preparing said edge to receive printing. The :color thus applied should be different from the colo-r of the sheet and will thus form a background for .the area on which printing is impressed.

The inclined edge 22 can also be doubly ground with the 4book 2.0 alternately flexed in .opposite directions. The `effect of such grinding is illustrated in Fig. 7 and the indicia on the book thus prepared -will also be fou-ncl to have no visible white stria when the edge 22f is expanded to a degree substantially greater than that to which it was expanded during either grinding operation.

I have discovered that the method of grinding resulting in the article shown in Fig. "I lends itself to great advantage in the preparation of novel advertising media for the edges of books or simi-lar articles when the sheets 24 have been so treated in any manner well known to the art ,as to become relatively impermeable to colored or c olorable matter, although capable of receiving and holding such matter on their surfaces. Abook 22 prepared in this manner can be printed .on .both the inclined edges 22" and 22" formed by ,oppositely flexing the said book. When the edge n22' is exposed, the indicia 53 which is printed thereon will be visible while the indicia 54 printed on the edge 22' will be invisible and vice-versa. Either edge 22 or 22" can be ex posed `as desired, the direction of flexing being determinative of which edge is exposed. It will be lappreciated that in lieu of employing impermeable sheets in this form of my invention I may use colored or colorable matter which does not penetrate fibrous sheets. Such matter include, for example, powdered metal inks and -decalcomanias In Fig. 10" I have shown my invention em.- bodied in a book 60 having an edge 62 which is normally inclined to the face of the sheets 64. The successive underlying sheets 64 in said book are each slightly Wider than the immediately .overlying sheets to form the normally inclined -edge 62. The book is bound at 66 by any suitable means well known to the art. All or any part of the surface 62 is prepared for printing in the same manner as described in connection with Figs. 1 4, that is a portion .of each of the sheet t-ips lying on the surface 62 is mutilated as by sand blasting, milling, or grinding until said edge presents a substantially smooth and continuous surface for printing.

In Fig. 11, I have shown a book 10 embodying another modified form of my invention vwherein the book edge 'l-2 to be printed is normally inclined to the sheets 14 comprising the book. The width of each of the sheets 14 in lthis form of my invention, unlike that shown'in Fig. v1I), is uniform. The edges 16 of the sheets '14 Which are bound are also arranged along a surface which is inclined and parallel to the edge 12. To maintain the sheets 14 in this relative position, I provide a wedge-shaped stiffener 18 which is incorporated into the binding 8l)` of the book. The edge 'I2 is prepared for printing similarly to the edge E2.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an article and method for making the same in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it yis to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a method of preparing for printing an inclined stepped `edge consisting of the tips of a large number of flexible sheets, that improvement comprising the step of transforming said inclined stepped edge to an inclined substantially smooth surface which is substantially parallel to the mean surface of said inclined edge.

2. In a, method of preparing for printing an inclined stepped edge consisting of the tips-of a large number of sheets, that improvement comprising the steps of mutilating a plurality of adjacent tips in such manner that a substantial portion of Veach of said tips lies in a substantially smooth surface parallel to the mean surface of said inclined edge, and then glazing said smooth surface. Y

3. In a method of preparing for printing an inclined stepped edge consisting of the tips of a large number of sheets, that improvement comprising the steps of moving portions from a plurality of adjacent tips down to a substantially smooth surface parallel to the mean surface of said inclined edge.

4. In a method of preparing for printing an inclined surface consisting of the tips of a large number of sheets, that improvement comprising the step of similarly tapering a plurality of adjacent tips.

5. In a method of preparing for printing an inclined stepped edge consisting of the tips of a large number of sheets, that improvement comprising the step of removing material from said tips to form a substantially smooth surface only where printing is to be performed while leaving the remainder of said stepped edge unaltered.

6.. In a method of preparing for printing an inclined stepped edge consisting of the tips of a large number of sheets, that improvement comprising the Step of smoothing said stepped edge by removing portions of a plurality of adjacent tips.

'7. In a method of preparing for printing an inclined stepped edge consisting of the tips of a large number of sheets, that improvement comprising the step of smoothing said stepped edge by grinding away portions of a plurality of adjacent tips.

8. In a method of preparing for printing an inclined stepped edge consisting of the tips of a large number of sheets, that improvement comprising the step of removing portions of a plurality of adjacent tips along several substantially parallel, spaced, shallow swathes slightly angularly offset from said sheets, the bases of each of said swathes being substantially smooth.

9. In a method of preparing for printing an inclined stepped edge consisting of the tips of a large number of sheets, that improvement comprising the step of removing portions of a plurality of adjacent tips along several substantially parallel spaced swathes disposed at right anl gles to the edges of said sheets, the bases of each of said swathes being substantially smooth,

10. In a method of preparing a -book for edge printing wherein the edge to be printed is ordinarily substantially normal to the faces of the sheets adjacent said edge, that improvement comprising the steps of manipulating said book to expand the width of and incline said edge whereby the tips of said sheets present a stepped edge and then smoothing said edge by removing portions of a plurality of adjacent tips.

11. In a method of preparing a book for edge printing wherein the edge to be printed is ordinarily substantially normal to the faces of the sheets adjacent said edge, that improvement comprising the steps of manipulating said book to expand the width of and incline said edge whereby the tips of said sheets present a stepped edge and then transforming said stepped edge to an inclined substantially smooth surface which is substantially parallel to the mean surface of said stepped edge.

12. A method of edge-printing a book wherein the edge to be printed is ordinarily substantially normal to the faces of the sheets adjacent said edge, that improvement comprising the steps of manipulating said book to expand the width of and incline said ed-ge whereby the tips of said sheets present a stepped edge, smoothing said stepped edge by removing portions of a plurality of adjacent tips, manipulating said book to op- L positely incline the said edge and printing edge in its last named position.

13. A method of edge-printing a book wherein the edge to be printed is ordinarily substantially normal to the faces of the sheets adjacent said edge, comprising the steps of manipulating said book to expand the width of and incline said edge whereby the tips of said sheets present a stepped surface, smoothing said surface by removing portions of a plurality of adjacent tips, manipulating said book to oppositely incline said edge, smoothing said edge in said last named position by removing portions of a plurality of adjacent tips and printing different marks on both of said smoothed inclined surfaces.

14. As a new article of manufacture, a large number of sheets, binding means along one set of edges of said sheets to hold said sheets to gether and leave the edges opposite thereto free, said free set of edges being normally in registration, at least a portion of the tips of said free set of edges on a plurality of adjacent sheets being tapered, adjacent tapered surfaces of said tips being substantially parallel to each other and being normally relatively spaced transversely of said surfaces whereby said article may be manipulated to expand said set of edges and dispose adjacent tapered surfaces in coplanar relationship for printing.

15. As a new article of manufacture, a large number of flexible sheets, binding means along one set of edges of said sheets to hold said sheets together and leave the edges opposite thereto free, said free set of edges being normally in registration, at least a portion of the tips of said free set of edges on a plurality of adjacent sheets 4being so mutilated that when the article is manipulated to dispose said set of edges in a preselected inclined position, said tips will form a substantially smooth surface.

16. As a new article of manufacture, a multisheet book having a free edge on which printing is adapted to be disposed, the tips of the sheets on said edge being normally in registration, the opposite edge of said sheets being held together by binding means, the tips of said free edge in the vicinity of said printing only, being tapered, adjacent tapered surfaces of said tips being substantially parallel to each other and being normally relatively spaced transversely of said surfaces whereby said article may be manipulated to expand said set of edges and dispose adjacent tapered surfaces in coplanar relationship for printing.

17. As a new article of manufacture, a multisheet book having an edge on which printing is adapted to be disposed, the tips of at least a portion of adjacent sheets on said edge being tapered, the taper on each sheet running from both surfaces thereof.

18. As a new article of manufacture, a multisheet book having an edge on which printing is adapted to be disposed, said edge being normally inclined to the surface of the sheets of said book, the tips of at least a portion of adjacent sheets on said edge being tapered.

19. As a new article of manufacture, a multisheet book having an edge on which printing is adapted to be disposed, said edge being normally inclined to the surface of the sheets of said book, the tips of at least a portion of adjacent sheets on said edge being tapered, successive underlying sheets being wider than immediately overlying sheets.

20. As a new article of manufacture, a multion the tion substantially perpendicular to the Ifaces of said sheets, at least a portion of the tips of said free set of edges on a plurality of adjacent sheets being tapered, adjacent tapered surfaces of said tips being substantially parallel to each other and being relatively spaced transversely of said surfaces whereby said article may be manipulated to expand said set of edges and dispose adjacent tapered surfaces in coplanar re- 10 lationship for printing.

HEINZ E. OPPENHEIMER. 

